But when it comes to MCPS American Sign Language (ASL) students at Wootton High School, the signs are not so encouraging.
The letter below discusses the refusal of the Wootton High School administration to allow ASL students from the school to sign along with the chorus during their high school graduation. It isn't as if this is something new. ASL students accompanying graduation performances has been a part of Wootton High School graduations in the past, and is part of graduations at other MCPS high schools where ASL is taught. Below is a letter on this issue to the community from a parent.
Letter on ASL at Wootton Graduation
CODA = Children of Deaf Adults
Gee... Weast tours the country promoting the greatness of MCPS and spends our money right and left on conferences, training, etc. Yet, in his own backyard, he has a crew of totally clueless administrators. Zero sensitivity. Zero common sense. Zero decency.
ReplyDeleteThis brings back memories of my daughter's own graduation ceremony at DAR when she was at Einstein HS. She and a fellow student graduating from a special ed. program had their names left out of the program. When I protested to the principal, he basically told me to get over it. I was also very unhappy at having my daughter and her friend sit on the stage with a teacher instead of being seated among the other students. Separate, but equal, right?
Since Chris van Hollen was the guest speaker at the ceremony, and he urged the participants to be active members of society and to communicate with their elected representatives, I did just that. Now, that got the principal's attention. A month or so later, we received a couple of booklets with the missing names added. At least the mistake that could be corrected, was.
ASL students absolutely belong on stage with the chorus! How can it possibly be otherwise?!?
I agree with Patricia - how could it possibly be otherwise? Having the ASL students sign the chorus would only make the graduation ceremony a richer experience.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, they will recognize and correct their error in judgment!
Ah who cares? The important thing is to get out of the building fast. We don't need something else holding up the program. MCPS has enough feel good programs as it is now.
ReplyDeleteWootton Teacher
Readers, please note that the 8:58 AM comment is anonymous and there is no reason to believe this is coming from an actual Wootton High School teacher.
ReplyDelete